The rumor emerged shortly after Donald Trump forecasted a steep decline in fuel costs earlier this month.
AUSTIN, TEXAS: Amid growing anxieties over climbing fuel prices fueled by Middle Eastern geopolitical tensions, a viral social media post alleged that billionaire Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed people worried about gas costs simply lack an understanding of economics. The fabricated quote quickly gained traction, triggering widespread debate and necessitating a thorough fact-check.
Claim: Elon Musk dismissed gas price concerns as a lack of economic literacy
According to the widely shared Facebook post, Musk supposedly stated that anyone feeling anxious about rising fuel expenses does not grasp how global economic systems operate.
“There are a number of systems in play,” the fictitious quote read. “I believe that had Biden been looking at this same scenario, we’d be paying $7 or $8 a gallon right now.”
The post went on to claim that Musk praised President Donald Trump’s management of the crisis as “masterful,” expressing confidence that a Republican midterm victory would empower Trump to subdue Iran and resolve the conflict in Ukraine.
“Biden would have surrendered the third fleet and delivered a nuclear weapon to the Iranian embassy as a show of good faith,” the post falsely attributed to Musk.
While many social media users immediately recognized the post as absurd, a significant number reacted with criticism or genuine belief, leading others to demand verification.
Fact Check: The tech billionaire never made these statements
In reality, the claim is completely unfounded, with zero evidence indicating Musk ever made such remarks.
A review of his public statements, interviews, and official social media accounts reveals no record of him claiming that citizens worried about prices fail to understand economics.
Had a prominent figure like Musk delivered such commentary amid fierce public debate over administration policies regarding gas prices, it would have undoubtedly made major headlines.
A comprehensive search across web archives and news databases yielded no legitimate reports validating the rumor.
The origin of the post traces back to ‘America’s Last Line Of Defense,’ a known Facebook parody network whose profile clearly notes that none of its content is factual.
Donald Trump’s projection regarding future fuel costs
The fake quote materialized shortly after Trump asserted earlier this month that gasoline prices would experience a dramatic decline following a US victory in the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
“Oil prices will drop precipitously, like everything else is dropping (but more!), when we WIN the war with Iran,” Trump stated.
He added, “Three Dollars a gallon, but ultimately, below Two Dollars a gallon. It will all happen quickly, and Iran will never have a Nuclear Weapon. MAGA! President DJT.”